Army happy with no shutdown violence

The top brass are satisfied with the protest situation and lack of violence since the Bangkok Shutdown campaign was launched by anti-government protesters, the army secretary said on Tuesday.

Published: 14/01/2014 at 04:54 PM

Writer: Wassana Nanuam

‘’The meeting was satisfied with the situation regarding the rally by PDRC because there has been no violence, as people feared might happen,’’ Maj Gen Polapat Wannapuk said.

He was speaking after a meeting to assess the ongoing rally outside the Royal Guard's 1st Infantry Regiment offices after the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) began mass protests on Monday to shutdown Bangkok and force the caretaker prime minister's resignation.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha did not attend the meeting and sent his deputy, Gen Udomdej Seetabutr, to chair the talks.

The deputy army chief urged all troops to stay alert, warning that marches by anti-government protesters to blockade government agencies could result in confrontation with the PDRC's opponents.

The army has sent troops to help police safeguarding 37 key state locations across the city.